Communication apparatus comprising integrated circuit tag interface

ABSTRACT

A first communication apparatus may comprise a first type of interface configured to function as an IC tag, a second type of interface, and a controller. The controller may cause the first type of interface to execute a sending operation. The sending operation may be executed by using a first wireless connection established between the first and second communication apparatuses. The sending operation may include an operation of the first type of interface to send network identification information to the second communication apparatus. The network identification information may be information to be used in a first wireless network to which both the first and second communication apparatuses belong. The controller may execute, after the first type of interface has executed the sending operation, a wireless communication of target data with the second communication apparatus via the second type of interface by using the first wireless network.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/191,623, filed Feb. 27, 2014, which claims priority to JapanesePatent Application No. 2013-040088, filed on Feb. 28, 2013, the contentsof which are hereby incorporated by reference into the presentapplication.

TECHNICAL FIELD

In this specification, a communication apparatus that executes awireless communication of target data is disclosed.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

A system is known that comprises a gate that is installed in a museum orthe like, a portable communication terminal, an access point, and acontents server. The gate includes a reader-writer that performs acommunication with a non-contact type IC chip in the portablecommunication terminal, and that sends the SSID of the access point andthe URL of the contents server to the portable communication terminal.The portable communication terminal establishes communication with theaccess point and accesses the URL of the contents server. By doing this,the portable communication terminal is able to acquire contents datafrom the contents server via the access point.

SUMMARY

In this specification, a technique is disclosed according to which afirst communication apparatus and a second communication apparatus mayappropriately execute a wireless communication of target data.

In this specification, a first communication apparatus is disclosed. Thefirst communication apparatus may comprise: a first type of interfaceconfigured to function as an IC (an abbreviation of Integrated Circuit)tag; a second type of interface; and a controller comprising: aprocessor; and a memory storing computer-readable instructions therein.The computer-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, maycause the first communication apparatus to perform: causing the firsttype of interface to execute a sending operation, the sending operationbeing executed by using a first wireless connection established betweenthe first communication apparatus and a second communication apparatus,the sending operation including an operation of the first type ofinterface to send network identification information to the secondcommunication apparatus, the network identification information beinginformation to be used in a first wireless network to which both thefirst communication apparatus and the second communication apparatusbelong; and executing, after the first type of interface has executedthe sending operation, a wireless communication of target data with thesecond communication apparatus via the second type of interface by usingthe first wireless network to which the both the first communicationapparatus and the second communication apparatus belong.

A control method and computer-readable instructions for implementationof the first communication apparatus and/or the second communicationapparatus described above, and a non-transitory computer-readablerecording medium in which the computer-readable instructions are stored,are also novel and useful. Moreover, a communication system comprisingthe first and second communication apparatuses described above is alsonovel and useful.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a structure of a communication system.

FIG. 2 shows a flow chart for processing performed by a CPU of a printerof a first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing an operation of the printer and ofa portable terminal of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows a flow chart for processing performed by a CPU of a printerof a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing an operation of the printer and ofa portable terminal of the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram continuing from FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 shows a flow chart for processing performed by a CPU of a printerof a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing an operation of the printer and ofa portable terminal of the third embodiment.

EMBODIMENT First Embodiment Structure of a Communication System 2

As shown in FIG. 1, a communication system 2 comprises a printer 10 anda portable terminal 50. While a PC (an abbreviation of “PersonalComputer”) 110 is shown in FIG. 1, this PC 110 is also employed in thethird embodiment described below.

(Structure of the Printer 10)

The printer 10 is a peripheral apparatus (in other words, it is aperipheral apparatus of the PC 110 or the like) that is capable ofperforming a printing function. The printer 10 comprises an operatingpanel 12, a display mechanism 14, a print mechanism 16, a wireless LAN(an abbreviation of “Local Area Network”) interface 20, an IC (anabbreviation of “Integrated Circuit”) tag interface 22, and a controller30. These various sections 12 through 30 are interconnected by bus lines(no reference symbol is shown for these). In the following, an interfacewill be referred to as an “I/F”.

The operating panel 12 comprises a plurality of keys. The user is ableto input various kinds of commands to the printer 10 by operating theoperating panel 12. The display mechanism 14 is a display for displayinginformation of various kinds. The print mechanism 16 is a printmechanism of the ink jet type or the laser type or the like.

The wireless LAN I/F 20 is an I/F for performing a wirelesscommunication according to the WFD (an abbreviation of “Wi-Fi Direct”)standard (hereinafter, this will be termed “WFD communication”). The WFDstandard is a wireless communication standard described in a standarddocument “Wi-Fi Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Technical Specification Version 1.1”issued by the Wi-Fi Alliance. The WFD standard is a wirelesscommunication standard for performing a wireless communication accordingto, for example, the IEEE (an abbreviation of “The Institute ofElectrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.”) 802.11 standard andstandards conforming thereto (for example, 802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11n and soon).

In the following, an apparatus (for example, the printer 10) that iscapable of performing the WFD communication according to the WFDstandard will be termed a “WFD compatible apparatus”. In the WFDstandard document described above, three states are defined for a WFDcompatible apparatus: a Group Owner state (hereinafter termed the “G/Ostate”), a client state (hereinafter termed the “CL state”), and adevice state. Normally, the WFD compatible apparatus can selectivelyoperate in any one of the three states described above.

When a pair of WFD compatible apparatuses in the device state are toform a new wireless network, normally this pair of WFD compatibleapparatuses perform a wireless communication for so-called G/Onegotiation. In the G/O negotiation, one of this pair of WFD compatibleapparatuses decides to go into the G/O state (in other words, to becomea G/O apparatus), while the other one decides to go into the CL state(in other words, to become a CL apparatus). Thereafter this pair of WFDcompatible apparatuses establishes a mutual connection and forms awireless network (in other words, a WFD network). It should beunderstood that, in FIG. 3 etc. that will be described hereinafter, theWFD network is denoted by “WFD NW”.

In this stage of newly forming the WFD network by G/O negotiation, onlyone G/O apparatus and one CL apparatus belong to the WFD network.However, the G/O apparatus is capable of establishing a connection withanother apparatus, and of newly adding that other apparatus to the WFDnetwork as another CL apparatus. In this case, a state will beestablished in which two or more CL apparatuses belong to the WFDnetwork. In other words, one G/O apparatus and one or more CLapparatuses may be present upon the WFD network.

The G/O apparatus manages one or more CL apparatuses. To speak inconcrete terms, the G/O apparatus registers the MAC addresses of one ormore CL apparatuses in a management list in a memory of the G/Oapparatus. Moreover, when a CL apparatus leaves the WFD network, the G/Oapparatus deletes the MAC address of that CL apparatus from themanagement list. It should be understood that the maximum value for thenumber of CL apparatuses that can be managed by the G/O apparatus (inother words, the maximum value for the number of MAC addresses of CLapparatuses that can be registered in the management list) is determinedin advance by the G/O apparatus. To speak generally, the maximum valuedescribed above may be an integer which is one or more.

The G/O apparatus is capable of performing a wireless communication oftarget data with the CL apparatus registered in the management list, notvia any other apparatus. The target data is data that includesinformation on the network layer of the OSI reference model, andinformation on a higher ranking layer than the network layer (forexample on the application layer), and may for example include printdata, scan data, or the like. Moreover, the G/O apparatus is capable ofrelaying a wireless communication of target data between a plurality ofCL apparatuses. That is, a pair of CL apparatuses can perform thewireless communication of target data via the G/O apparatus.

As described above, with the WFD network, between a WFD compatibleapparatus that is a source for sending of target data and a WFDcompatible apparatus that is a destination for sending of target data,these WFD compatible apparatuses are capable of performing the wirelesscommunication of the target data, not via any access point that is builtdifferently from these WFD compatible apparatuses. In other words, theWFD communication, the WFD standard may respectively be termed awireless communication not via an access point, a wireless communicationstandard in which no access point is employed.

While the G/O apparatus is not capable of performing a wirelesscommunication of target data with a WFD compatible apparatus that is inthe device state (in other words, with a device apparatus), it iscapable of performing a wireless communication of connection data of theWFD standard with a device apparatus. In other words, the G/O apparatusis capable of establishing a connection with the device apparatus byperforming the wireless communication of connection data of the WFDstandard with the device apparatus, so as to cause the device apparatusto participate to the WFD network. That is, the device apparatus iscapable of establishing the connection with the G/O apparatus byperforming the wireless communication of connection data of the WFDstandard with the G/O apparatus, so as to participate to the WFDnetwork. In this case, the device apparatus transitions from the devicestate to the CL state. The connection data of the WFD standard is datathat includes information for layers of the OSI reference model havinglower ranking than the network layer (for example, the physical layerand the data link layer) (in other words, data that does not includeinformation for the network layer), and may include, for example, aProbe Request signal, a Probe Response signal, a Provision DiscoveryRequest signal, a Provision Discovery Response signal, an AssociationRequest signal, an Association Response signal, an AuthenticationRequest signal, an Authentication Response signal, a 4-Way Handshakesignal, and so on.

It should be understood that the G/O apparatus can also establish aconnection with apparatus that is not capable of performing the WFDcommunication according to the WFD standard (hereinafter termed “legacyapparatus”), and can also cause the legacy apparatus to participate tothe WFD network. When the connection with the legacy apparatus isestablished, the G/O apparatus registers the MAC address of the legacyapparatus in the management list. Due to this, the legacy apparatus iscapable of participating to the WFD network. Although such legacyapparatus is not capable of selectively operating in any of the threestates described above (i.e. the G/O state, the CL state, and the devicestate), while it is belonging to the WFD network, it operates in asimilar state to that of the CL apparatus.

While the printer 10 is the WFD compatible apparatus, in thisembodiment, it cannot operate in the CL state. Moreover, the printer 10is not provided with any program for performing the G/O negotiation withanother WFD compatible apparatus. In other words, the printer 10 iscapable of selectively operating in either of two states: the G/O stateand the device state.

The IC tag I/F 22 is an I/F for performing a wireless communicationaccording to the so-called NFC (an abbreviation of “Near FieldCommunication”) standard for a wireless communication over shortdistances (hereinafter termed “NFC communication”). The NFC standard isa wireless communication standard based upon, for example, theinternational standards ISO/IEC 21481 or 18092. A so-called NFC forumdevice I/F and a so-called NFC forum tag I/F are per se known as typesof I/F for performing NFC communication. The IC tag I/F 22 is the NFCforum tag, and functions as an IC tag according to the NFC standard (inother words, according to ISO/IEC 21481 or 18092).

The NFC forum device is an I/F that is capable of selectively operatingin any of a P2P (an abbreviation of “Peer To Peer”) mode, an R/W (anabbreviation of “Reader/Writer”) mode, and a CE (an abbreviation of“Card Emulation”) mode. For example, if both an NFC I/F of a firstapparatus and an NFC I/F of a second apparatus are operating in the P2Pmode, then the first and second apparatuses are capable of performing abidirectional communication of information. Moreover if, for example,the NFC I/F of the first apparatus is operating in the Reader mode ofthe R/W mode while the NFC I/F of the second apparatus is operating inthe CE mode, then the first apparatus is capable of reading outinformation from the second apparatus, in other words is capable ofreceiving the information from the second apparatus. Furthermore if, forexample, the NFC I/F of the first apparatus is operating in the Writermode of the R/W mode while the NFC I/F of the second apparatus isoperating in the CE mode, then the first apparatus is capable of writingthe information to the second apparatus, in other words is capable ofsending the information to the second apparatus.

The NFC forum tag (in other words the IC tag I/F 22) is not an I/F thatis capable of selectively operating in any one of the three modesdescribed above, but rather is an I/F that only functions as an IC tag.For example, when an NFC I/F of the portable terminal 50 is operating inthe Reader mode of the R/W mode, then the portable terminal 50 iscapable of reading out information from the IC tag I/F 22 of the printer10, in other words is capable of receiving the information from theprinter 10. Moreover, for example, when the NFC I/F of the portableterminal 50 is operating in the Writer mode of the R/W mode, then theportable terminal 50 is capable of writing information to the IC tag I/F22 of the printer 10, in other words is capable of sending theinformation to the printer 10.

Since the NFC forum tag (in other words the IC tag I/F 22) is not an I/Fthat is capable of selectively operating in any one of the three modesdescribed above, accordingly it has a simpler structure than that of theNFC forum device (in other words, its IC chip structure is simpler).Speaking generally, an IC chip that functions as the NFC forum tag ischeaper than an IC chip that functions as the NFC forum device.

It should be understood that the method for supplying an electricalpower to the IC tag I/F 22 may be either a so-called passive type or aso-called active type. The passive type is built so that the electricalpower is generated by receiving radio waves from the NFC I/F of theportable terminal 50, and this starts the circuitry of the IC chipwithin the IC tag I/F 22. Since an IC tag I/F of the passive type has asimpler construction as compared to an IC tag I/F of the active type,accordingly it is comparatively cheap in price, and moreover it ispossible to implement the I/F itself in a more compact manner. However,as compared to an IC tag I/F of the active type, an IC tag I/F of thepassive type has the characteristic that it is only capable of operatingover a shorter communication distance. On the other hand, the activetype is built to receive supply of the electrical power from a powersupply within the IC tag I/F or from a power supply within the printer10, and this starts the circuitry of the IC chip within the IC tag I/F22. Thus, as compared to an IC tag I/F of the passive type, an IC tagI/F of the active type has the characteristics that it is higher inprice, and that it is capable of operating over a longer communicationdistance.

In this embodiment, in order to send information supplied from thecontroller 30 to an external apparatus (for example, to the portableterminal 50), the IC tag I/F 22 comprises a buffer memory (not shown inthe drawings) for temporarily storing that information. However, the ICtag I/F 22 does not include any RAM for long term storage of informationsupplied from the controller 30 (for example, during the interval untilother information is supplied from the controller 30). It should beunderstood that, in the second embodiment to be described hereinafter,the IC tag I/F 22 does include a RAM 24 (refer to FIG. 5).

There are two operating modes for the IC tag I/F 22: a Read Only modeand a Writable mode. The Read Only mode is a mode in which, if the ICtag I/F 22 receives a read command according to the NFC standard from anexternal apparatus (for example the portable terminal 50), then anoperation for sending information to the external apparatus is performedin response to this read command (hereinafter this will be termed “readresponse operation”). However, the Read Only mode is a mode in which,even if the IC tag I/F 22 receives a write command according to the NFCstandard from an external apparatus, no operation is performed inresponse to this write command (hereinafter this will be termed “writeresponse operation”). On the other hand, the Writable mode is a mode inwhich both read response operation and write response operation areperformed.

The write operation described above is an operation of, if for exampleinformation is received from the external apparatus along with the writecommand, supplying the information to the controller 30. Since no writeresponse operation is performed in the Read Only mode, the informationreceived from the external apparatus is not supplied to the controller30, so that, as a result, it is possible to avoid information within theIC tag memory 36 of the controller 30 being overwritten by the receivedinformation. Moreover, in the second embodiment to be describedhereinafter, it is also possible to avoid information within the RAM 24of the IC tag I/F 22 being overwritten by the received information.

The differences between the wireless LAN I/F 20 and the I/C tag I/F 22will be explained. The communication speed of wireless communication viathe wireless LAN I/F 20 (for example, the maximum for this communicationspeed may be 11 to 600 Mbps) is faster than the communication speed ofwireless communication via the IC tag I/F 22 (for example, the maximumfor this communication speed may be 100 to 424 Mbps). Moreover, thefrequency of the carrier wave for wireless communication via thewireless LAN I/F 20 (for example, the 2.4 GHz band or the 5.0 GHz band)is different from the frequency of the carrier wave for wirelesscommunication via the IC tag I/F 22 (for example, the 13.56 GHz band).Moreover, the controller 30 is capable of performing the NFCcommunication with the portable terminal 50 via the IC tag I/F 22 if thedistance between the printer 10 and the portable terminal 50 is lessthan or equal to around 10 cm, for example. On the other hand, thecontroller 30 is capable of performing the NFC communication with theportable terminal 50 via the wireless LAN I/F 20, whether the distancebetween the printer 10 and the portable terminal 50 is less than orequal to around 10 cm, or whether it is greater than or equal to 10 cm(for example, the maximum distance may be about 100 m). In other words,the maximum distance over which the printer 10 is capable of performingthe wireless communication with an apparatus that is a destination forcommunication (for example the portable terminal 50) via the wirelessLAN I/F 20 is greater than the maximum distance over which the printer10 is capable of performing the wireless communication with an apparatusthat is a destination for communication via the IC tag I/F 22.

The controller 30 comprises a CPU 32, a main memory 34, and an IC tagmemory 36. The CPU 32 performs processing of various types, according toa program that is stored in the main memory 34. The main memory 34comprises a RAM, a ROM, etc. The main memory 34 not only stores theprogram described above, but also stores data of various kinds createdor acquired by the printer 10 while various types of processing arebeing performed. The IC tag memory 36 is a memory for storing data to besupplied to the IC tag I/F 22.

(Structure of the Portable Terminal 50)

The portable terminal 50 is a portable terminal device such as aportable telephone (for example, a smartphone), a PDA, a notebook PC, atablet PC, a portable type music reproduction device, a portable typevideo reproduction device, or the like. The portable terminal 50comprises a wireless LAN I/F and a NFC I/F, not shown in the drawings.

The portable terminal 50 is the WFD compatible apparatus, and canselectively operate in any one of three states: the G/O state, the CLstate, and the device state. Accordingly, the portable terminal 50 iscapable of performing the WFD communication via the wireless LAN I/F ofthe portable terminal 50.

It should be understood that, in a variant embodiment, the portableterminal 50 might not be the WFD compatible apparatus, but rather mightbe the legacy apparatus. With this structure as well, the portableterminal 50 would be able to establish a connection with a G/O apparatus(for example, with the printer 10), and would be able to participate toa WFD network.

Moreover, the portable terminal 50 can also perform the NFCcommunication via the NFC I/F of the portable terminal 50. It should beunderstood that the NFC I/F of the portable terminal 50 is the NFC forumdevice as described above, and is capable of operating in, at least, theRAY mode.

(The Processing Performed by the CPU 32 of the Printer 10: FIGS. 2 and3)

Next, the processing performed by the CPU 32 of the printer 10 of thisembodiment will be explained with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2shows a flow chart of the processing performed by the CPU 32, while FIG.3 shows a concrete example that is implemented by the flow chart of FIG.2.

When the power to the printer 10 is turned on (in other words, when theprinter 10 is activated), the printer 10 is not connected to anywireless network, and is in the device state of the WFD standard. Whenthe power to the printer 10 is turned on, the CPU 32 stores a valueindicating the device state in the main memory 34 as a value thatspecifies the state of the printer 10 (in the following, this will betermed the “WFD state value”).

As shown in FIG. 3, when the power to the printer 10 is turned on, theCPU 32 of the printer 10 (in other words, the controller 30) supplies amode setting instruction to the IC tag I/F 22, and sets the operationmode of the IC tag I/F 22 to the Read Only mode. Due to this, it ispossible to prevent information within the IC tag memory 36 of thecontroller 30 from being overwritten by information that is receivedfrom an external apparatus (for example, from the portable terminal 50).As a result, as will be described hereinafter in detail, the printer 10is able to supply the information within the IC tag memory 36 (i.e. theWFD WSI, as will be described hereinafter) to the portable terminal 50in an appropriate manner.

The IC tag I/F 22 sends a detection radio signal for detecting anapparatus with which the NFC communication can be performed (forexample, the portable terminal 50). The NFC I/F of the portable terminal50 also sends a detection radio signal for detecting an apparatus withwhich the NFC communication can be performed (for example, the printer10). When the user brings the NFC I/F of the portable terminal 50 nearto the IC tag I/F 22 of the printer 10, then the distance between theNFC I/F of the portable terminal 50 and the IC tag I/F 22 of the printer10 becomes shorter than the distance (for example 10 cm) over whichthese radio signals can be received. In this case, one of the IC tag I/F22 of the printer 10 and the NFC I/F of the portable terminal 50receives the detection radio signal from the other, and sends a responseradio signal.

Next, the wireless communication is performed in order to establish anNFC connection (in other words, a wireless connection according to theNFC standard) between the IC tag I/F 22 of the printer 10 and the NFCI/F of the portable terminal 50. In this process of the wirelesscommunication, the IC tag I/F 22 of the printer 10 sends typeinformation specifying that the IC tag I/F 22 is itself functioning asthe NFC standard IC tag (in other words, that it is an I/F of the NFCforum tag) to the NFC I/F of the portable terminal 50. As a result, theportable terminal 50 is able to know that its opposite party incommunication (in other words the printer 10) is the NFC forum tag.

When the NFC connection has been established between the IC tag I/F 22of the printer 10 and the NFC I/F of the portable terminal 50, then theportable terminal 50 determines, as a mode in which the portableterminal 50 is to operate, one mode among the R/W mode. Thisdetermination is based on a program (for example an application) that isloaded in the portable terminal 50. For example, if a printingapplication for causing the printer 10 to perform the printing functionhas been installed upon the portable terminal 50, then the portableterminal 50 determines that the portable terminal 50 is to operate inthe Reader mode of the R/W mode, according to the printing application.On the other hand, if the printing application has not been installedupon the portable terminal 50, then the portable terminal 50 maydetermine that the portable terminal 50 is to operate in the Reader modeof the R/W mode, or may determine that the portable terminal 50 is tooperate in the Writer mode of the R/W mode, according to someapplication other than the printing application, or according to theoperating system of the portable terminal 50 (in other words, accordingto its OS).

If the portable terminal 50 determines that the portable terminal 50 isto operate in the Reader mode of the R/W mode, then it sends a readcommand to the IC tag I/F 22 of the printer 10. Moreover, if theportable terminal 50 determines that the portable terminal 50 is tooperate in the Writer mode of the R/W mode, then it sends a writecommand to the IC tag I/F 22 of the printer 10.

The IC tag I/F 22 of the printer 10 does not perform the write responseoperation even if it receives the write command from the portableterminal 50. This is because the operation mode of the IC tag I/F 22 isset to the Read Only mode. On the other hand, if the IC tag I/F 22 ofthe printer 10 receives the read command from the portable terminal 50,then it performs the read response operation. That is, first, the IC tagI/F 22 supplies to the controller 30 a particular notification fornotifying the controller 30 that the NFC connection has been establishedbetween the printer 10 and the portable terminal 50.

As shown in S10 of FIG. 2, the CPU 32 monitors that the particularnotification is obtained from the IC tag I/F 22. When the particularnotification is obtained from the IC tag I/F 22 (YES in S10), the CPU 32transfers to S12.

In S12, the CPU 32 creates wireless setting information to be used by aWFD network to which both the printer 10 and the portable terminal 50are to belong. It should be understood that the wireless settinginformation used by the WFD network will be termed the “WFD WSI”. TheWFD WSI includes an SSID (an abbreviation of “Service Set Identifier”),a BSSID (an abbreviation of “Basic Service Set Identifier”), anauthentication method, an encryption method, and a password. The SSIDand the BSSID are identification information for identifying the WFDnetwork. More specifically, the SSID is a network identifier of the WFDnetwork, and the BSSID is a MAC address of the printer 10. Theauthentication method, the encryption method, and the password areinformation for performing authentication of apparatus, encryption ofdata, and so on upon the WFD network. In FIG. 3, “X1” is shown as beingthe concrete value of the SSID.

The CPU 32 newly creates the SSID and the password by generating randomcharacter strings. However, the BSSID, the authentication method, andthe encryption method are predetermined information, and are notinformation newly created by the CPU 32. The CPU writes the created WFDWSI into the IC tag memory 36.

Next, in S14, the CPU 32 supplies the WFD WSI in the IC tag memory 36 tothe IC tag I/F 22. As a result, the IC tag I/F 22 sends the WFD WSI tothe portable terminal 50 by using the NFC connection (in other words,the NFC connection that was used in communication of the read command).The NFC connection is disconnected when the WFD WSI has been sent fromthe IC tag I/F 22.

Since as described above the IC tag I/F 22 is set to the Read Only mode,even if it is supposed that the write command from the portable terminal50 is received after the WFD WSI has been stored in the IC tag memory 36(for example, even if the write command is received that is sent by someapplication running on the portable terminal 50 other than the printingapplication), it is possible to prevent the WFD WSI in the IC tag memory36 from being overwritten by other information. Due to this, the printer10 is able to send the WFD WSI to the portable terminal 50 in anappropriate manner.

Next, in S16, the CPU 32 changes the state of the printer 10 from thedevice state to the G/O state. In this step S16, the CPU 32spontaneously transitions the state of the printer 10 to the G/O state,without performing the G/O negotiation. That is, first, the CPU 32changes the WFD state value in the main memory 34 from a value thatindicates the device state to a value that indicates the G/O state.Next, the CPU 32 creates, in the main memory 34, a management list inwhich MAC addresses of CL apparatuses are to be written. At the stage ofthis step S16, no MAC addresses are written in this management list. Inother words, at the stage of this step S16, only the printer 10, whichis the G/O apparatus, belongs to the WFD network.

As shown in the case A of FIG. 3, if the printing application has beeninstalled on the portable terminal 50, and the portable terminal 50receives the WFD WSI from the printer 10, the portable terminal 50performs processing using this WFD WSI for establishing a wirelessconnection according to the WFD standard (hereinafter termed a “WFDconnection”) with the printer 10. That is, the portable terminal 50sends, via the wireless LAN I/F of the portable terminal 50, a ProbeRequest signal including the SSID included in the WFD WSI. On the otherhand, as shown in the case B of FIG. 3, if the printing application isnot installed on the portable terminal 50, and the portable terminal 50operates in the Reader mode and is able to receive the WFD WSI from theprinter 10, it does not send the Probe Request signal. This is becausethere is no printing application installed for interpreting the WFD WSIand for sending the Probe Request signal.

In S18 of FIG. 2, the CPU 32 monitors that the Probe Request signalincluding the SSID “X1” is received via the wireless LAN I/F 20. If theCPU 32 receives the Probe Request signal including the SSID “X1” (inother words, in the case A of FIG. 3), then it determines YES in S18,and transfers to S20. On the other hand, if a predetermined timeinterval elapses from when the printer 10 transitions to the G/O statein S16, while the Probe Request signal including the SSID “X1” is notreceived (in other words, in the case B of FIG. 3), then the CPU 32determines NO in S18 and skips the steps S20 through S24 (in otherwords, reception processing and print processing for print data are notperformed) and transfers to S26.

In S20, the CPU 32 performs processing for establishing the WFDconnection with the portable terminal 50 (in other words, processing forcausing the portable terminal 50 to participate to the WFD network inwhich the printer 10 is the G/O apparatus). That is, the CPU 32performs, via the wireless LAN I/F 20, a communication of connectiondata with the portable terminal 50, such as a Probe Response signal, anAuthentication Request signal, an Authentication Response signal, and soon.

In the process described above of the communication of the connectiondata, the portable terminal 50 sends the authentication method, theencryption method, the password and so on included in the WFD WSI to theprinter 10. The CPU 32 of the printer 10 performs authentication of theportable terminal 50. Normally this authentication succeeds, since theWFD WSI is data that was sent from the printer 10 to the portableterminal 50. As a result, the WFD connection is established between thewireless LAN I/F 20 of the printer 10 and the wireless LAN I/F of theportable terminal 50.

When the WFD connection is established, the CPU 32 writes the MACaddress of the portable terminal 50 in the management list. Due to this,the portable terminal 50 participates as a CL apparatus in the WFDnetwork in which the printer 10 is the G/O apparatus. In other words,the CPU 32 forms the WFD network to which both the printer 10 and theportable terminal 50 belong.

When the WFD connection is established, the portable terminal 50 (inother words, the printing application) sends print data to the printer10 via the wireless LAN I/F of the portable terminal 50, using the WFDnetwork. Since the portable terminal 50 is the CL apparatus while theprinter 10 is the G/O apparatus, the print data is directly sent fromthe portable terminal 50 to the printer 10, not via any other apparatus.The print data is data that is designated by the user as being thesubject for printing, for example an image file, a document file, or thelike.

In S22, the CPU 32 receives the print data from the portable terminal 50via the wireless LAN I/F 20, by using the WFD network. Next, in S24, theCPU 32 supplies the print data to the print mechanism 16. Due to this,the print mechanism 16 prints an image represented by the print dataupon a printing medium.

Since the print data is an image file or the like, it has acomparatively large data size. As described above, the communicationspeed of the NFC communication is slower than the communication speed ofthe WFD communication. Accordingly, supposing that a structure forperforming the wireless communication of the print data between theprinter 10 and the portable terminal 50 using the NFC communication wereto be employed, then a rather long period of time would be required forcommunicating the print data. By contrast, in this embodiment, since theprinter 10 and the portable terminal 50 perform the wirelesscommunication of the print data by using the WFD communication, it ispossible to perform the wireless communication of the print datarapidly.

In S26, the CPU 32 changes the state of the printer 10 from the G/Ostate to the device state. In other words, the CPU 32 changes the WFDstate value in the main memory 34 from its value that indicates the G/Ostate to a value that indicates the device state. Next, the CPU 32deletes the management list from the main memory 34. Due to this, theWFD network disappears. When S26 has been completed, the CPU 32 returnsto S10.

Advantageous Effects of the First Embodiment

According to the printer 10 of this embodiment, the IC tag I/F 22 thatfunctions as an IC tag according to the NFC standard uses the NFCconnection (in other words, performs NFC communication) for sending theWFD WSI including the SSID “X1” to the portable terminal 50. The printer10 transitions to the G/O state, and forms the WFD network to which onlythe printer 10 belongs. When the printer 10 receives the Probe Requestsignal including the SSID “X1” from the portable terminal 50, itestablishes the WFD connection between the printer 10 and the portableterminal 50, and forms the WFD network to which both the printer 10 andthe portable terminal 50 belong. Next, the printer 10 receives the printdata from the portable terminal 50 by using the WFD network (in otherwords, by performing the WFD communication). Then the printer 10 printsthe image represented by the print data upon the printing medium. Due tothis, it is possible to supply a printed medium to the user of theportable terminal 50.

As described above, as compared to the NFC forum device, the NFC forumtag (in other words the IC tag I/F 22) has a simpler structure (in otherwords, the structure of such an IC chip is simpler). Accordingly, whenthis is compared with the case of employing the NFC forum device as anI/F for performing the NFC communication, it is possible to implementthe printer 10 of this embodiment with a simpler structure. As a result,for example, it is possible to manufacture the printer 10 at acomparatively cheap price.

It should be understood that, if the IC tag I/F 22 were to include a RAMas in the second embodiment to be described hereinafter, then, in S14 ofFIG. 2, the CPU 32 would be required to write the WFD WSI into the RAMwithin the IC tag I/F 22. By contrast, since in this embodiment the ICtag I/F 22 does not include the RAM, the CPU 32 does not need to writethe WFD WSI into the RAM within the IC tag I/F 22 in S14 of FIG. 2. Thusit is possible to perform the processing of S14 rapidly, and as a resultit is possible to perform the supply of the WFD WSI rapidly from theprinter 10 to the portable terminal 50.

(Correspondence Relationship)

The printer 10 and the portable terminal 50 are respectively examples ofthe “first communication apparatus” and of the “second communicationapparatus”. The IC tag I/F 22 and the wireless LAN I/F 20 arerespectively examples of “first type of interface” and “second type ofinterface”. The operation of sending the WFD WSI including the SSID “X1”to the portable terminal 50 is an example of “sending operation”. Theprint data is an example of “target data”. The WFD standard is anexample of “specific standard”. The Read Only mode is an example of“first mode”. The NFC connection and the WFD connection are respectivelyexamples of “first wireless connection” and “second wirelessconnection”. The G/O state and the device state are respectivelyexamples of “parent state” and “non-belonging state”. The WFD network,the SSID “X1”, and the Probe Request signal are respectively examples of“first wireless network”, “network identification information”, and“specific signal”. The printing application is an example of“application”.

Second Embodiment

The features of difference of this second embodiment from the firstembodiment will now be explained. In this embodiment, the I/C tag I/F 22includes a RAM 24 for storing, over the long term, information suppliedfrom the controller 30.

(The Processing Performed by the CPU 32 of the Printer 10: FIGS. 4Through 6)

The details of the processing performed by the CPU 32 of the printer 10of this embodiment will now be explained with reference to FIGS. 4through 6. The difference from the first embodiment is that, when thepower to the printer 10 is turned on, the CPU 32 of the printer 10 (inother words, the controller 30) creates the WFD WSI, and supplies thecreated WFD WSI to the IC tag I/F 22. The method for creating the WFDWSI is the same as that in S12 of FIG. 2. In FIG. 5, “X1” is shown asbeing the concrete value of the SSID included in the created WFD WSI.The IC tag I/F 22 stores the WFD WSI in the RAM 24.

The processing of S10 through S26 of FIG. 4 is the same as theprocessing of S10 through S26 of FIG. 2, but the sequence of processingis different. As shown in FIG. 5, the situation in which the NFCconnection is established between the IC tag I/F 22 of the printer 10and the NFC I/F of the portable terminal 50, and subsequently the readcommand is communicated by using this NFC connection, is the same as inthe first embodiment.

When the read command is received from the portable terminal 50, the ICtag I/F 22 of the printer 10 supplies a particular notification to thecontroller 30. Due to this, the CPU 32 determines YES in S10 of FIG. 4,and transfers to S16. Thus, in this embodiment, when YES is determinedin S10, the CPU 32 does not perform creation of the WFD WSI (S12) andsupply of WFD WSI to the IC tag I/F 22 (S14). This is because the WFDWSI is supplied to the IC tag I/F 22 when the power to the printer 10 isturned on, or during the processing of S14 that will be describedhereinafter, so that the WFD WSI is already stored in the RAM 24 of theIC tag I/F 22. Accordingly, when the read command is received from theportable terminal 50, the IC tag I/F 22 of the printer 10 does notobtain the WFD WSI from the controller 30, but sends the WFD WSI in theRAM 24 (in other words, the SSID “X1”) to the portable terminal 50.

The processing of S16 through S26 of FIG. 4 is the same as theprocessing of S16 through S26 of FIG. 2. When the processing of S16through S26 of FIG. 4 is performed, as shown in FIG. 5, a WFD network towhich only the printer 10 belongs is formed, then the WFD network towhich both the printer 10 and the portable terminal 50 belong is formed,then communication of print data is performed, and then the WFD networkdisappears.

As shown in FIG. 4, when S26 has been completed (in other words, whenthe WFD network disappears), the CPU 32 performs creation of WFD WSI(S12) and supplies the WFD WSI to the IC tag I/F 22 (S14). In S12, theCPU 32 creates an SSID and a password by generating random characterstrings. Accordingly the SSID and the password that are created in S12will be different from the SSID and the password that were created whenthe power was turned on (and from those created when S12 was performedin the past). In FIG. 6, the concrete value of the SSID that is createdin S12 is shown as being “X2”. The IC tag I/F 22 deletes the WFD WSI inthe RAM 24 (in other words, the WFD WSI that was created when the powerwas turned on), and stores the new WFD WSI (in other words, the WFD WSIprovided in S14) in the RAM 24.

When S14 of FIG. 5 has been completed, the CPU 32 returns to S10. Asshown in FIG. 6, when an NFC connection has been established for asecond time between the printer 10 and the portable terminal 50, the ICtag I/F 22 sends the WFD WSI (in other words, the SSID “X2”) in the RAM24 to the portable terminal 50. The subsequent processing is the same asin FIG. 5, except for the feature that the SSID “X2” is used, instead ofthe SSID “X1”.

Advantageous Effects of the Second Embodiment

This embodiment provides similar advantageous effects to those of thefirst embodiment. Moreover, since in this embodiment the IC tag I/F 22is equipped with the RAM 24, it is possible to store the WFD WSI inadvance in the RAM 24 before the NFC connection is established. Due tothis, when the NFC connection is established, the IC tag I/F 22 is ableto send the WFD WSI within the RAM 24 rapidly to the portable terminal50, without even obtaining the WFD WSI from the controller 30.

(Correspondence Relationship)

In this embodiment, the WFD network of FIG. 5 and the WFD network ofFIG. 6 are respectively examples of “first wireless network” and “secondwireless network”. Moreover, the SSID “X2” is an example of “networkidentification information”.

Third Embodiment

The features of difference of this third embodiment from the firstembodiment will now be explained. In this embodiment, in a similarmanner to the first embodiment, the IC tag I/F 22 does not include theRAM. In the first embodiment, the printer 10 selectively operates in anyof two states: the G/O state and the device state. By contrast, in thisembodiment, the printer 10 selectively operates in any of three states:the G/O state, the CL state, and the device state. For example, theprinter 10 may perform a G/O negotiation with an apparatus other thanthe printer 10, and it may be determined that the printer 10 becomes aCL apparatus.

(The Processing Performed by the CPU 32 of the Printer 10: FIGS. 7 and8)

The details of the processing performed by the CPU 32 of the printer 10of this embodiment will now be explained with reference to FIGS. 7 and8. When an user desires a WFD network to be formed to which both theprinter 10 and the PC 110 belong, the user performs a predeterminedoperation upon the operating panel 12 of the printer 10, and performs apredetermined operation upon the PC 110. Due to this, the CPU 32 of theprinter 10 performs a G/O negotiation with the PC 110 via the wirelessLAN I/F 20.

In the G/O negotiation, the CPU 32 sends information specifying a G/Opriority level of the printer 10 (that is, Intent value) to the PC 110,and receives information specifying a G/O priority level of the PC 110from the PC 110. The G/O priority level of the printer 10 is an indexthat specifies the level at which the printer 10 should operate in theG/O state, and is determined by the printer 10 in advance. In a similarmanner, the G/O priority level of the PC 110 is an index that specifiesthe level at which the PC 110 should operate in the G/O state, and isdetermined by the PC 110 in advance.

The CPU 32 compares the G/O priority level of the printer 10 and the G/Opriority level of the PC 110, and determines that the apparatus whosepriority level is the higher should operate in the G/O state, whiledetermining that the apparatus whose priority level is the lower shouldoperate in the CL state. In the case C of FIG. 8, it is determined thatthe printer 10 should operate in the G/O state, while it is determinedthat the PC 110 should operate in the CL state. In other words, the CPU32 changes the WFD state value in the main memory 34 from a value thatindicates the device state to a value that indicates the G/O state.Moreover, the CPU 32 creates a management list that includes the MACaddress of the PC 110 within the main memory 34. Furthermore, in thecase D, it is determined that the printer 10 should operate in the CLstate, while it is determined that the PC 110 should operate in the G/Ostate. In other words, the CPU 32 changes the WFD state value in themain memory 34 from a value that indicates the device state to a valuethat indicates the CL state.

If the printer 10 becomes the G/O apparatus (in other words, in the caseC), the printer 10 (in other words, the CPU 32) creates WFD WSI. Thenthe CPU 32 supplies the created WFD WSI to the PC 110 via the wirelessLAN I/F 20. As a result, a WFD connection is established between theprinter 10 and the PC 110, and a WFD network is formed to which theprinter 10, which is the G/O apparatus, and the PC 110, which is the CLapparatus, both belong.

On the other hand, if the printer 10 becomes the CL apparatus (in otherwords, in the case D), the PC 110 creates WFD WSI. The CPU 32 receivesthe WFD WSI from the PC 110 via the wireless LAN I/F 20. As a result, aWFD connection is established between the printer 10 and the PC 110, anda WFD network is formed to which the printer 10, which is the CLapparatus, and the PC 110, which is the G/O apparatus, both belong.

When the WFD network has been formed to which both the printer 10 andthe PC 110 belong, as in the case C or D described above, then theprinter 10 is able to receive print data from the PC 110 by using theWFD network, and is enabled to perform print processing.

While, in the first or the second embodiment, the NFC connection isestablished between the printer 10 and the portable terminal 50 whilethe state of the printer 10 is the device state, no NFC connection isestablished while the state of the printer is the G/O state or the CLstate. By contrast, in this embodiment, since the WFD network to whichboth the printer 10 and the PC 110 belong can be formed, a NFCconnection can also be established while the state of the printer is theG/O state or the CL state.

As shown in FIG. 8, the situation in which an NFC connection isestablished between the IC tag I/F 22 of the printer 10 and the NFC I/Fof the portable terminal 50, and thereafter a read command iscommunicated by using this NFC connection, is the same as that in FIG. 5for the first embodiment.

When the IC tag I/F 22 of the printer 10 receives the read command fromthe portable terminal 50, it supplies a particular notification to thecontroller 30. Due to this, the CPU 32 determines YES in S10 of FIG. 7,and transfers to S50.

In S50, the CPU 32 determines whether or not the current state of theprinter 10 is the device state. If the WFD state value within the mainmemory 34 is a value that indicates the device state, the CPU 32determines YES in S50, and transfers to S12. The processing of S12through S26 is the same as the processing of S12 through S26 of FIG. 2.

On the other hand, if the WFD state value in the main memory 34 is avalue that indicates the G/O state or the CL state, the CPU 32determines NO in S50, and transfers to S52. In S52, the CPU 32determines whether or not the current state of the printer 10 is the CLstate. If the WFD state value in the main memory 34 is a value thatindicates the CL state (in other words, in the case D of FIG. 8), theCPU 32 determines YES in S52, and transfers to S58. On the other hand,if the WFD state value in the main memory 34 is a value that indicatesthe G/O state (in other words, in the case C of FIG. 8), the CPU 32determines NO in S52, and transfers to S54.

In S54, the CPU 32 determines whether or not the number of CLapparatuses belonging to the WFD network in which the printer 10 is theG/O apparatus is equal to a predetermined maximum value. Morespecifically, first, the CPU 32 reads out the number of MAC addressesthat are written in the management list in the main memory 34, andspecifies the number of CL apparatuses. Then, if the number of CLapparatuses is equal to the maximum value, the CPU 32 determines YES inS54, and transfers to S58. On the other hand, if the number of CLapparatuses is not equal to the maximum value, in other words if thenumber of CL apparatuses is less than the maximum value, the CPU 32determines NO in S54, and transfers to S56.

In S56, the CPU 32 writes into the IC tag memory 36 the WFD WSI that iscurrently being used by the WFD network in which the printer 10 is theG/O apparatus (in other words, the WFD WSI that was created by theprinter 10 after the G/O negotiation described above). The CPU 32supplies the WFD WSI in the IC tag memory 36 to the IC tag I/F 22. As aresult, the IC tag I/F 22 sends the WFD WSI to the portable terminal 50by using the NFC connection.

When S56 has been completed, the CPU 32 transfers to S18. If a ProbeRequest signal has been received from the portable terminal 50 (YES inS18), then the CPU 32 causes the portable terminal 50 to participate tothe WFD network to which the printer 10 and the PC 110 belong (S20),receives print data from the portable terminal 50 by using the WFDnetwork (S22), and performs print processing (S24). It should beunderstood that, even when S24 has been completed, the CPU 32 does notmake a transition from the G/O state to the device state (in otherwords, does not perform the processing of S26). This is because,supposing that the WFD network to which the printer 10 and the PC 110belong were undesirably to disappear when the processing of S26 isperformed, then it would become impossible for the printer 10 to receivethe print data from the PC 110.

In this embodiment a security policy is employed in which, while the G/Oapparatus has authority to cause other apparatus to participate to theWFD network, the CL apparatus does not have authority to cause otherapparatus to participate to that WFD network. Accordingly, if YES isdetermined in S52, in other words if the NFC connection is establishedwhile the state of the printer 10 is the CL state, the printer 10 is notable to cause the portable terminal 50 to participate to the WFDnetwork. Due to this, in S58, the CPU 32 does not supply the WFD WSIthat is being used by the WFD network in which the printer 10 is the CLapparatus to the IC tag I/F 22, but rather supplies information to theIC tag I/F 22 specifying that WFD communication cannot be performed (inthe following, this is termed “unavailability information). Morespecifically, in S58, the CPU 32 writes the unavailability informationinto the IC tag memory 36, and supplies the unavailability informationin the IC tag memory 36 to the IC tag I/F 22. Due to this, the IC tagI/F 22 sends the unavailability information to the portable terminal 50by using the NFC connection.

Moreover if YES is determined in S54, in other words if, although theNFC connection is established while the state of the printer is the G/Ostate, the number of CL apparatuses is equal to the maximum value, thenit is not possible for the portable terminal 50 to participate to theWFD network, since the CPU 32 is not able to increase the number of CLapparatuses that are the subjects of management any further. In thiscase as well, in S58, the CPU 32 supplies the unavailability informationto the IC tag I/F 22.

Next in S60 the CPU 32 supplies a mode change instruction to the IC tagI/F 22, and changes over the operation mode of the IC tag I/F 22 fromthe Read Only mode to the Writable mode.

If the portable terminal 50 (in other words the printing application)receives the unavailability information from the printer 10, itdetermines that it is necessary to send the print data to the printer 10by using the NFC communication, rather than WFD communication. Theportable terminal 50 determines that it should operate in the Writermode of the R/W mode, and sends a write command according to the NFCstandard and the print data to the printer 10 by using the NFCconnection.

Since the IC tag I/F 22 of the printer 10 is operating in the Writablemode (refer to S60), when it receives the write command from theportable terminal 50, it performs the write response operation inresponse to the write command. That is, the IC tag I/F 22 supplies theprint data to the controller 30. As a result, in S62, the CPU 32receives the print data from the portable terminal 50 via the IC tag I/F22.

Next, the CPU 32 performs print processing in S64 (i.e. similarprocessing to S24). Next in S66 the CPU 32 supplies a mode changeinstruction to the IC tag I/F 22, and changes over the operation mode ofthe IC tag I/F 22 from the Writable mode to the Read Only mode. When S66has been completed, the CPU 32 returns to S10.

Advantageous Effects of the Third Embodiment

In this embodiment, if the NFC connection is established while theprinter 10 is in the device state (YES in S50 of FIG. 7), then, in asimilar manner to the case with the first embodiment, the printer 10sends the WFD WSI to the portable terminal 50 (S14), the WFD network isformed to which only the printer 10, which is the G/O apparatus, belongs(S16), and subsequently the WFD network to which both the printer 10 andthe portable terminal 50 belong is formed (S20). Due to this, theprinter 10 is able to receive the print data from the portable terminal50 by using the WFD network (S22), so as to perform the print processingin an appropriate manner (S24).

If the NFC connection is established while the printer 10 is in the G/Ostate (NO in S52 of FIG. 7), then the printer 10 determines whether ornot the number of CL apparatuses is equal to the maximum value (S54). Ifit is determined that the number of CL apparatuses is not equal to themaximum value (NO in S54), the printer 10 sends the WFD WSI to theportable terminal 50 (S56), and the WFD network is formed to which boththe printer 10 and the portable terminal 50 belong (S20). Due to this,the printer 10 is able to receive the print data from the portableterminal 50 by using the WFD network (S22), so as to perform the printprocessing in an appropriate manner (S24).

On the other hand, if it is determined that the number of CL apparatusesis not equal to the maximum value (YES in S54), the printer 10 sends theunavailability information to the portable terminal 50 (S58), and isable to receive the print data from the portable terminal 50 by usingthe NFC connection (S62), so as to perform print processing in anappropriate manner (S64).

Moreover, if the NFC connection is established while the printer 10 isin the CL state (YES in S52 of FIG. 7), then the printer 10 sends theunavailability information to the portable terminal 50 (S58), and isable to receive the print data from the portable terminal 50 by usingthe NFC connection (S62), so as to perform print processing in anappropriate manner (S64).

As described above, the printer 10 is able to perform appropriateprocessing according to the state of the printer 10, and is able toperform the print processing in an appropriate manner. In particular, ifit is necessary to receive the print data from the portable terminal 50by using the NFC connection (YES in S52 or YES in S54), then, since theprinter 10 changes the operation mode of the IC tag I/F 22 over to theWritable mode (S60), accordingly the printer 10 is able to receive theprint data from the portable terminal 50 in an appropriate manner byusing the NFC connection (S62).

It should be understood that, if the print data is received by using theNFC connection (S62), then a longer time period is required forcommunicating the print data, as compared to reception of the print databy using the WFD connection (S22). However since, for example, with aso-called label printer which is capable of printing upon a printingmedium that is comparatively small such as a label on a laminated filmor the like, the data size of the print data is comparatively small ascompared to the case of a normal printer which is capable of printingupon a printing medium that is comparatively large such as paper stockof A4 size or the like, accordingly, even if the method of receiving theprint data by using the NFC connection is employed, still it is possibleto prevent the user from being caused to experience a feeling ofdissatisfaction due to the time period for communicating the print databecoming long. In other words, while it is possible for the printer 10to be a normal printer, it is more desirable for it to be a labelprinter.

(Correspondence Relationship)

The Read Only mode and the Writable mode are respectively examples of“first mode” and “second mode”. The case YES in S50, the case NO in S52,and the case YES in the step 52 are respectively examples of “firstcase”, “second case”, and “third case”. The CL state is an example of“child state”.

Variant Embodiment #1

The “first communication apparatus” is not limited to the printer 10,and it could also be a scanner, a copier, a multi-function device, aportable terminal, a PC, a server, or the like. For example, in avariant embodiment in which a scanner is an example of “firstcommunication apparatus”, it would be possible to arrange for a CPU ofthe scanner to send scan data to the portable terminal via a wirelessLAN I/F, using a WFD network to which both the scanner and the portableterminal belong. In this variant embodiment, the scan data is an exampleof “target data”. Moreover, for example, in an embodiment in which a PCis an example of “first communication apparatus”, it would be possibleto arrange for a CPU of the PC to send a data file within the PC (forexample a document file or the like) to the portable terminal via awireless LAN I/F, using a WFD network to which both the PC and theportable terminal belong. In this variant embodiment, the data file isan example of “target data”. Moreover, the “second communicationapparatus” is not limited to the portable terminal 50, and it would alsobe possible for it to be a printer, a scanner, a copier, amulti-function device, a PC, a server, or the like.

Variant Embodiment #2

The “second type of interface” is not limited to the wireless LAN I/F 20for performing the WFD communication, and for example, it could also bea wireless LAN I/F for performing a wireless communication via an accesspoint (hereinafter termed an “AP”). In this variant embodiment it wouldbe possible, if the printer 10 belongs to a specific wireless networkformed by the AP, to arrange for the CPU 32 of the printer 10 to send anSSID of the specific wireless network to the portable terminal 50 byusing a NFC connection. In this case, it could be arranged for theportable terminal 50 to send a Probe Request signal including the aboveSSID to the AP, so as to participate to the specific wireless networkdescribed above. In this case as well, the CPU 32 of the printer 10 mayreceive the print data from the portable terminal 50 by using thespecific wireless network to which both the printer 10 and the portableterminal 50 belong (in other words, via the AP).

Variant Embodiment #3

The “second type of interface” is not limited to the wireless LAN I/F20, and for example, it could also be a BT I/F for performing a wirelesscommunication according to BlueTooth (registered trademark). In thisvariant embodiment, a passkey (in other words, a PIN) that is used bythe Bluetooth (registered trademark) wireless network is an example ofthe “network identification information”. It should be understood that,if it is contemplated to increase the communication speed of NFCcommunication, then the communication speed of wireless communicationvia a BT I/F may be slower than the communication speed of wirelesscommunication via the NFC I/F 22. To speak in general terms, thecommunication speed of wireless communication via the second type ofinterface may be faster than the communication speed of wirelesscommunication via the first type of interface, or may be slower.

Variant Embodiment #4

In FIG. 2, it would also be possible to arrange for the CPU 32 of theprinter 10 to perform the processing of S16, and to perform theprocessing of S14 subsequently. To speak generally, it would beacceptable, as in the embodiments described above, to arrange for theCPU 32 to transit the state of the printer 10 from the device state tothe G/O state by the processing of S14, after having created the SSID bythe processing of S12; and it would also be acceptable, as in thisvariant embodiment, to create the SSID by the processing of S12, afterhaving transited the state of the printer 10 from the device state tothe G/O state by the processing of S14.

Variant Embodiment #5

In S16 of FIG. 2, the CPU 32 of the printer 10 forms the wirelessnetwork by transiting the state of the printer 10 from the device stateto the G/O state of the WFD standard. Instead of this, the CPU 32 mayform a wireless network by activating so-called Soft AP in order tocause the printer 10 to operate as an AP. In this variant embodiment,the CPU 32 creates wireless setting information (a SSID, a BSSID, and soon) to be used by the wireless network in S12, and supplies the wirelesssetting information to the IC tag I/F 22 in S14. In this variantembodiment as well, S18 through S24 are performed in a similar manner.In S26, the CPU 32 stops the Soft AP. In this variant embodiment, thestate in which the Soft AP has been activated is an example of “parentstate”.

Variant Embodiment #6

In the embodiments described above, the processing of FIG. 2, FIG. 4, orFIG. 7 is implemented by the CPU 32 of the printer 10 executing aprogram (i.e. software) within the main memory 34. Instead of this, itwould also be possible for the processing of at least one of FIG. 2,FIG. 4, or FIG. 7 to be implemented by hardware such as logic circuitryor the like.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A first communication apparatus comprising:a controller; a first type of interface configured to function as anintegrated circuit tag (IC tag) of a Near Field Communication standard(NFC standard), the first type of interface executing a sendingoperation by using a first wireless connection established between thefirst communication apparatus and a second communication apparatus, thesending operation being executed in a case where the first wirelessconnection is established, regardless of whether the secondcommunication apparatus comprises an application, the application beingfor executing a wireless communication of target data in accordance witha specific standard which is different from the NFC standard, thesending operation including an operation in which the first type ofinterface sends network identification information to the secondcommunication apparatus, the network identification information beinginformation to be used in a first wireless network to which both of thefirst communication apparatus and the second communication apparatusbelong; and a second type of interface configured to execute a wirelesscommunication in accordance with the specific standard, wherein thecontroller comprises: a processor; and a memory storingcomputer-readable instructions therein, the computer-readableinstructions, when executed by the processor, causing the firstcommunication apparatus to perform: in a case where the secondcommunication apparatus comprises the application, executing, after thefirst type of interface has executed the sending operation, the wirelesscommunication of the target data with the second communication apparatusvia the second type of interface by using the first wireless network towhich both of the first communication apparatus and the secondcommunication apparatus belong, wherein the wireless communication ofthe target data with the second communication apparatus is not executedin a case where the second communication apparatus does not comprise theapplication.
 2. The first communication apparatus as in claim 1, whereinthe computer-readable instructions, when executed, further cause thefirst communication apparatus to perform: establishing a second wirelessconnection between the first communication apparatus and the secondcommunication apparatus via the second type of interface so as to formthe first wireless network to which both of the first communicationapparatus and the second communication apparatus belong, in a case wherea specific signal including the network identification information isreceived from the second communication apparatus via the second type ofinterface.
 3. The first communication apparatus as in claim 1, wherein acommunication speed of a wireless communication via the second type ofinterface is faster than a communication speed of a wirelesscommunication via the first type of interface.
 4. The firstcommunication apparatus as in claim 1, wherein: the executing includesreceiving the target data from the second communication apparatus viathe second type of interface by using the first wireless network, andthe first communication apparatus further comprises: a print mechanismconfigured to execute a print of an image represented by the receivedtarget data.
 5. The first communication apparatus as in claim 1, whereinthe computer-readable instructions, when executed, further cause thefirst communication apparatus to perform: forming the first wirelessnetwork to which both of the first communication apparatus and thesecond communication apparatus belong, in the case where the secondcommunication apparatus comprises the application, and wherein the firstwireless network is not formed in the case where the secondcommunication apparatus does not comprise the application.
 6. The firstcommunication apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the second type ofinterface is configured to execute a wireless communication according toat least one standard among IEEE 802.11 standard and standardsconforming to IEEE 802.11.
 7. The first communication apparatus as inclaim 1, wherein the computer-readable instructions, when executed,further cause the first communication apparatus to perform: causing thefirst wireless network to disappear after executing the wirelesscommunication of the target data with the second communicationapparatus.
 8. The first communication apparatus as in claim 1, whereinthe first type of interface comprises a memory that stores the networkidentification information.
 9. The first communication apparatus as inclaim 1, wherein the controller is configured to supply the networkidentification information to the first type of interface.
 10. A firstcommunication apparatus comprising: a controller; a first type ofinterface configured to function as an integrated circuit tag (IC tag),the first type of interface executing a sending operation by using afirst wireless connection established between the first communicationapparatus and a second communication apparatus, the sending operationincluding an operation in which the first type of interface sendsnetwork identification information to the second communicationapparatus, the network identification information being information tobe used in a first wireless network to which both of the firstcommunication apparatus and the second communication apparatus belong,the first type of interface operating in a first mode when the firstwireless connection is established, the first mode being a mode in whichthe first type of interface sends information to an exterior of thefirst communication apparatus in response to a read command, if the readcommand is received from outside of the first communication apparatus,the first mode being a mode in which the first type of interface doesnot execute an operation in accordance with a write command, even if thewrite command is received from outside of the first communicationapparatus; and a second type of interface, the controller comprising: aprocessor; and memory storing computer-readable instructions therein,the computer-readable instructions, when executed by the processor,causing the first communication apparatus to perform: executing, afterthe first type of interface has executed the sending operation, awireless communication of target data with the second communicationapparatus via the second type of interface by using the first wirelessnetwork to which the both the first communication apparatus and thesecond communication apparatus belong.
 11. The first communicationapparatus as in claim 10, wherein the computer-readable instructions,when executed, further cause the first communication apparatus toperform: establishing a second wireless connection between the firstcommunication apparatus and the second communication apparatus via thesecond type of interface so as to form the first wireless network towhich the both the first communication apparatus and the secondcommunication apparatus belong, in a case where a specific signalincluding the network identification information is received from thesecond communication apparatus via the second type of interface.
 12. Thefirst communication apparatus as in claim 10, wherein: the first type ofinterface is further configured to function as the IC tag of a NearField Communication standard (NFC standard), and the sending operationis executed by using the first wireless connection of the NFC standard.13. The first communication apparatus as in claim 12, wherein: thesecond type of interface is an interface to execute a wirelesscommunication in accordance with a specific standard which is differentfrom the NFC standard, the sending operation is executed in a case wherethe first wireless connection is established, regardless of whether thesecond communication apparatus comprises an application to execute thewireless communication of the target data in accordance with thespecific standard, the wireless communication of the target data withthe second communication apparatus is executed in a case where thesecond communication apparatus comprises the application, and thewireless communication of the target data with the second communicationapparatus is not executed in a case where the second communicationapparatus does not comprise the application.
 14. The first communicationapparatus as in claim 10, wherein a communication speed of a wirelesscommunication via the second type of interface is faster than acommunication speed of a wireless communication via the first type ofinterface.
 15. The first communication apparatus as in claim 10,wherein: the executing includes receiving the target data from thesecond communication apparatus via the second type of interface by usingthe first wireless network, and the first communication apparatusfurther comprises: a print mechanism configured to execute a print of animage represented by the received target data.
 16. The firstcommunication apparatus as in claim 10, wherein the second type ofinterface is configured to execute a wireless communication according toat least one standard among IEEE 802.11 standard and standardsconforming to IEEE 802.11.
 17. The first communication apparatus as inclaim 10, wherein the computer-readable instructions, when executed,further cause the first communication apparatus to perform: creating thenetwork identification information when the first communicationapparatus is turned on.
 18. The first communication apparatus as inclaim 10, wherein the first type of interface comprises a memory thatstores the network identification information.
 19. The firstcommunication apparatus as in claim 10, wherein the controller isconfigured to supply the network identification information to the firsttype of interface.